The Laker Effect campaign had strong momentum this year, giving the Grand Valley University Foundation one of its most successful years. A record $26 million was raised this year thanks to the support of more than 14,000 donors.

Other highlights of the year include:

• More growth for the university endowment, which is now at a record $129 million.
• A record number of alumni donors and gifts.
• 36 new donor-funded scholarships created bringing the total to 515.
• Gillett Society membership increased to 392.
• Our health campus expansion on Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile is becoming a reality. Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall opened for classes this year with gifts from more than 1,100 donors; and construction has begun on the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health. These two buildings, along with our existing Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, will give us much needed capacity for students and new programs.
• Donors are also supporting the Innovation Design Center for Engineering, in renovated space which will expand the Robert C. Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids. The center will provide more project and community outreach space for our rapidly growing and nationally recognized engineering program.

We look forward to continuing the momentum throughout the remainder of the campaign as we move towards our goal of $85 million. Although we are doing well, we still have much to do for our students and our community. We are very grateful for the support of our Grand Valley family in expanding our Laker Effect into the future.

For the full audited financial statement for Grand Valley State University, go to www.gvsu.edu/busfin under “Annual Financial Reports.”

Additional information about the Grand Valley University Foundation is available at www.gvuf.org.